How to Book a USPS Passport Renewal Appointment

Book your USPS passport renewal appointment online or by phone, but know that not every post office handles renewals

You can schedule a passport renewal appointment at a USPS location through the USPS Passport Appointment Scheduler on the USPS website, or by calling 1-877-487-2778. The scheduler shows you which post offices near you accept passport applications and renewals, what days and times have openings, and lets you reserve a specific slot. Not all post offices participate — the scheduler will tell you which ones do in your area.

The appointment itself is free. You pay the passport fee (currently $130 for a standard adult renewal, $100 for a minor) when you submit your application at the appointment. Bring your payment method — USPS accepts cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card.

Processing time after your appointment is separate from the appointment itself. Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day USPS receives your completed application. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks but costs an extra $60. Neither includes delivery time once your passport is ready.

Key Takeaways

• Use the USPS Passport Appointment Scheduler on usps.com to find participating locations near you and book a specific time slot.
• Not every post office handles passport renewals — the scheduler shows only the ones that do in your area.
• Bring your current passport, a completed DS-11 or DS-82 form (depending on your renewal type), a new photo, and payment in cash, check, money order, or card.
• Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks after USPS receives your application; expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks for an extra $60.
• If you cannot find an appointment in your area or all slots are full, you can renew by mail instead, though it takes longer.

What documents and photos you need before the appointment

Bring your current passport — USPS will not accept a renewal application without it. You also need a new passport photo that meets State Department standards: 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last 6 months, with a plain white or off-white background, and your face taking up 50 to 69 percent of the frame. Many CVS, Walgreens, and post offices themselves offer passport photos for $10 to $20.

You need a completed application form. For a standard renewal (your passport is not damaged, you are renewing as an adult, and your name has not changed), use Form DS-82. If you are renewing a minor's passport or your passport was lost, stolen, or significantly damaged, you will need Form DS-11 instead, and that requires an in-person appointment at a passport acceptance facility — not all post offices handle DS-11 applications. The USPS scheduler will tell you which locations accept which forms.

Bring proof of citizenship if this is your first time renewing or if your passport is more than 5 years old. A certified birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or consular report of birth abroad all work. You do not need this if you are simply renewing an adult passport that is still valid and less than 5 years expired.

How to use the USPS Passport Appointment Scheduler

Go to usps.com and look for the Passport Appointment Scheduler link. Enter your ZIP code or city and state. The scheduler shows you every participating post office within a set distance, along with their hours and whether they accept passport renewals. Click on a location to see available appointment times — these update in real time as slots fill.

Select a date and time that works for you. You will be asked for your name, phone number, and email address. USPS will send you a confirmation email with your appointment details, a barcode, and instructions on what to bring. Save this email or print the barcode — you will need it when you arrive.

If the scheduler shows no openings at nearby locations, check back in a few days. Appointments open up as other people cancel, and new time slots are added regularly. You can also call 1-877-487-2778 to ask about cancellations or to book by phone if you prefer not to use the online tool.

What happens at your appointment

Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. Bring your confirmation email or barcode, your current passport, your new photo, your completed form (DS-82 or DS-11), and your payment method. The USPS employee will review your documents, take your photo if you did not bring one, and collect your payment. They will also ask you to sign your application in front of them.

The employee will give you a receipt with a tracking number. Keep this receipt — it shows your application was received and gives you a way to check the status of your passport online. USPS will mail your new passport to the address you provided on your application once processing is complete.

The appointment itself usually takes 10 to 20 minutes. You do not receive your passport at the appointment; USPS mails it to you after processing.

Standard versus expedited processing and what to expect

Standard processing takes 6 to 8 weeks from the day USPS receives your application. This is the default option and costs nothing extra. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks and costs an additional $60 on top of the renewal fee. You request expedited processing when you submit your application at the appointment.

These timelines do not include delivery. Once your passport is ready, USPS mails it to you via regular mail, which typically takes 3 to 5 business days. If you need your passport faster, you can pay for expedited mail delivery when you submit your application, though this is separate from expedited processing.

If you are traveling soon and standard or expedited processing will not get your passport to you in time, you may need to visit a passport agency in person instead of using USPS. Passport agencies can issue or renew a passport in as little as 24 hours, but they are located only in major cities and require an appointment booked through the State Department's website.

If you cannot find an appointment or prefer not to go in person

If the scheduler shows no openings at any nearby location, you have two options: wait for new slots to open, or renew by mail instead. Mail renewal is slower — it takes 8 to 11 weeks for standard processing — but it does not require an appointment or a trip to the post office.

To renew by mail, download Form DS-82 from the State Department website, fill it out, and mail it along with your current passport, a new photo, and payment to the address listed on the form. You do not need to go to a post office at all. This route works only if your passport is not damaged, you are an adult, and your name has not changed.

Some people also choose to renew by mail simply because they prefer not to schedule an appointment. There is no penalty for choosing mail renewal over an in-person appointment — it is purely a matter of how much time you have and what is more convenient for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my passport at any post office, or only at ones that show up in the scheduler?

Only post offices that appear in the USPS Passport Appointment Scheduler handle passport renewals. Not all post offices participate in the passport program. If none show up near you, you can renew by mail instead, or you can travel to a participating location if one is within reasonable distance.

What if my passport is damaged or I lost it?

Damaged or lost passports require Form DS-11, which must be submitted in person at a passport acceptance facility. Not all post offices accept DS-11 applications — the scheduler will show you which ones do. You cannot renew a lost or damaged passport by mail.

Do I have to pay the passport fee at my appointment, or can I pay later?

You pay the renewal fee at your appointment. USPS accepts cash, check, money order, or credit and debit card. If you choose expedited processing, you pay that extra fee at the same time.

How do I check on my passport after I submit my application?

USPS gives you a receipt with a tracking number when you submit your application. You can use this number to check your passport status on the State Department's passport tracking website. Processing times vary, but you can see where your application is in the queue.

What if I miss my appointment?

Contact USPS as soon as possible at 1-877-487-2778 to reschedule. You can also use the online scheduler to book a new time slot. There is no fee to reschedule, but the sooner you book a new appointment, the sooner you can submit your application.